Thanks for all your prayers! I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep with a song in my heart and a prayer on my lips. Those mornings are so nice!

We finally got DSL setup for Lei in her room with her Mac OSX Panther. Walkin' on cloud nine!

I'm going to be spending some special time in prayer tomorrow--seeking God's guidance for some inter-personal relationships and some personal ministry opportunties. Evangelist Bill Fey spoke to the staff today about personal evangelism and it really challenged me.

Thanks for your prayers! They keep me going!

Today was largely spent helping people setup TntMPD--the new database software we're using to try to keep better in touch with our donors. My prayer? The software will help our home staff keep better in touch with their supporters--connecting the supporters with the work on the field.

As supporters, you are a vital part of the work. But sometimes it is hard to draw the connecting lines for you. Please note: Without your support and prayer, none of this would be possible.

Continue to pray for us that the ministry that was begun by the Spirit would not be continued in the flesh.

I'm rather speechless tonight. With no good thing to say, perhaps I shouldn't blog.

Perhaps...a challenge? As you go through this next week, pray and ask God who He wants to encourage or challenge. How often I miss opportunities to exhort a fellow Christian because I'm too wrapped up in myself.

My dad once said I must have the same gift he has--the gift of inadvertently offending people. I would like to leave that gift behind and gain the gift of a gracious spirit. My heart is to love, not hurt. To heal, not wound. To help, not hinder.

We've been talking a lot recently about discernment. That's my prayer today. Praying for discernment. Out of so many things I can do and out of so many things I can say, what does God want me to do and say?

It was a slower day at the office than the past two days, enabling me to track down some people and get some things taken care of. I worked with TEC on a email problem and we arranged to get a spam filter installed for his email. (PTL!) TEC works with recruiting more staff for our administrative office. He also heads up the radio department - getting one minute and two minute radio spots as well as 27 minute Bro. KP teaching times out to radio stations in the US to help spread the word about what God is doing in Asia.

I came home this evening and made my first oatmeal cake from my mother's favorite recipie. (I have an important dinner Saturday evening.) It baked for 35 minutes. I pulled it out of the oven and said to AJ, "This is when my mother always burns it." I put the coconut and pecan topping and put it back in the oven to broil for a few moments.

Several minutes later, I yelped and scrunched up my face as I removed my blackened coconut cake from the oven.

AJ looked at me and looked at the cake and said: "Like mother, like daughter."

I had lunch on Saturday with another single staff member. As we prayed over our 99 cent whoppers, he asked God's blessing on the food and for the supporters who provided it. It made me stop and think. He's right! You are part of the reason that I can eat. You are part of what makes me live and work and pray. You are a part of keeping the computers running. And you are a part of planting another 11 churches just today.

So each time I bow my head and pray for my food...I pick one of you and thank God for you.

Thanks!

We finally have DSL at the house... maybe I'll be posting more!!! Here's today's funny story:

When I prepared for the office this morning, I thought to myself: "I'm running late (put my hair in a bun). I'm walking to work this morning (need comfortable shoes). I'm cleaning the bathrooms today (need clothes that will wash)." So I put on my cotton burgendy skirt and buttond-down the front blouse and threw my hair up in a bun and headed out the door to walk to work.

I got to the office and another staff member (from PA) said to me, "I was in my car on the way to work this morning and saw this girl walking down the street. I thought, 'I didn't know we had any Mennonites in Dallas! What is a Mennonite doing walking down [this street]?' Then I passed the person and saw it was you."

Hmm... maybe time for a wardrobe change? Or not, Bro. KP stopped me and told me he liked my outfit.

Okay... a quick recap on my personal life and the ministry life...

There are four of us girls living in a four bedroom house. We'll lovingly refer to my housemates as AJ, SE, and Lei. While myself and AJ and SE are here at GFA as full time staff members, Lei is here for a year with the Road to Reality Internship program. PLEASE pray for us as we continue to get settled in and get to know each other.

Ministry: Persecution continues to increase on the field! This story of a church in Karnataka is only one of many recent reports. Stop by www.gfa.org and sign up for the weekly news update emails to find out how to pray!

I guess I've officially entered the world of bloggers.

Last night, my new roommates and several co-workers hosted a surprise party for me--ice cream, chocolate, caramel, and whipped cream. Mmmm... You know, I think it was my first surprise party ever. My gift for the evening? My very own "blogger" t-shirt that simply reads in black on white: "I'm blogging this."

I miss my blogging without access at home! I miss my audience! I miss... wait! How can I miss my audience when I don't have one?

At least they didn't get me the t-shirt that reads "No one reads your blog."

Lei arrived Saturday evening and was unpacked without incident. The GFA family were amazing movers as usual--even to the extent of Wal-Mart runs to get the hose and clamps to hook up our dryer for us.

Pray for Lei-- she's an only child, never been away from home, and her parents are flying back home today. It'll be rough.

Pray for continued wisdom and guidance for the days ahead.

No internet access at home makes for fewer posts. Things are crazy busy. I've been up until midnight or 2:00 most nights this week getting the house ready for Lei's arrival tomorrow! God has provided all of our house needs... a trip to Frisco for a coffee table yielded not only the coffee table, but also a 19" TV, a wire kitchen rack, and a $75 check to buy a new vaccuum!

Pray for us tomorrow as we put together the final house pieces, welcome Hal and her parents, and get ready for another busy week at work.

No DSL at home yet, sorry. We are successfully moved into the new house. Sar picked me up from the airport last night (after more delays) and we finally got home about 1:15am.

It was a little strange. When I left for IL on Friday, I shared a three bedroom apt with two other ladies. When I arrived back on Monday morning, I shared a four bedroom house with three other ladies.

I found myself wandering around in the dark this morning wondering: "Where are the light switches in this place? Is that really a Jakuzi in my bathroom? I wonder if it works..."

I stumbled out of the guest room room this morning shortly after 9AM, blinking and rubbing my eyes and straining to see. The first thing I almost saw through my bleary eyes was the smiling face and open arms of Dr. C, just before he closed me into a big bear hug. What a (good) way to start a day!

We just got back from our second trip to the dentist office today. All is happy! PTL!

The not-so-great-way to end a day: the computer glitch in American Airlines and US Airways computer system has caused my 8:00 flight to be moved to 10:00 tonight. That means I'll be getting home about 12:30am. Not a great way to start a work week!